DHS in the News - COVID-19

Journalists worldwide write about The DHS Program results. The dissemination of DHS, SPA and HIV data is often widely covered by media in survey countries, but journalists also use The DHS Program data throughout the year as background information for their stories, or to compare health and development indicators across countries. These data are also used by journalists in the United States and other developed countries, as it is considered the gold standard of population, health and nutrition data. Below are some examples of recent news coverage. Please note: The links below are to websites outside The DHS Program.

Oct 23, 2020
Kenya faces a surge in FGM as schoolgirls stay home due to coronavirus lockdowns

Mike Mwenda
LIFE GATE (Kenya)

"...According to a Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey report, the national prevalence of FGM among women and girls aged 15-49 years has gradually declined from 32 per cent in 2003, 27 per cent in 2008-2009 and 21 per cent to 2014. However, experts say the decline needs to be sustained and accelerated by focusing especially on communities where prevalence is still high. Furthermore, the report shows how the proportion of women who have undergone cutting varies by ethnic group, with most women in the Somali (94 per cent), Samburu (86 per cent), Kisii (84 per cent) and Maasai (78 per cent) communities being circumcised..."

https://www.lifegate.com/kenya-fgm-coronavirus
Oct 20, 2020
COVID-19 challenge, opportunity in Addis Ababa

NEW BUSINESS ETHIOPIA (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

“…Immediately after the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ethiopia in March 2020, COVID-19 the government of Ethiopia and its development partners reviewed people’s access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) among other necessities using the latest round of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. As a result, the analysis shows that the current levels of access to water and soap are suboptimal to adopt the hand-washing recommendations…”

https://newbusinessethiopia.com/health/covid-19-challenge-opportunity-in-addis-ababa/
Oct 19, 2020
Bridging critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health services during Covid-19

Dr. Ben Bellows and Dr. Shobha Gudi
THE ECONOMIC TIMES (India)

"...This is reflected in the National Family Health Survey- 4 (2017) data, which shows that only 48% of married women in India aged 15-49 years were using modern contraceptives..."

https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/bridging-critical-gaps-in-sexual-and-reproductive-health-services-during-covid-19/78746404
Oct 19, 2020
OPINION: Women facing domestic violence during COVID-19 need access to safety now more than ever

Christine Ogutu and Wangu Kanja
CITIZEN DIGITAL (Kenya)

“…Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, 45 percent of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 reported to have experienced physical violence and 14 percent sexual violence according to the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey…”

https://citizentv.co.ke/blogs/opinion-women-facing-domestic-violence-during-covid-19-need-access-to-safety-now-more-than-ever-348272/
Oct 17, 2020
2,000 mothers die every year from giving birth in PH

MANILA STANDARD (Manila, Philippines)

“…According to the National Demographic and Health Survey in 2017, the unmet need for family planning has already decreased to 17 percent. This accounts for 2 million Filipino women who have difficulty accessing family planning and contraceptive methods due to financial means or other hindrances…”

https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/337063